Baylor to Host National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Nov. 12, 1996

The Baylor University Office of Recruitment and Parents League and Mortar Board will host more than 60 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists and their families Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16, during Invitation to Leadership.

Baylor offers full tuition scholarships to all National Merit Scholars who choose to attend the university. Baylor annually ranks in the top one percent nationally in the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled. There are approximately 200 National Merit Scholars at Baylor, according to James Steen, assistant director of the Office of Recruitment and Parents League. Steen said the Invitation to Leadership event is used to recruit these top students to Baylor.

"These students are the cream of the crop and they have lots of options," Steen said. "We want to show them what Baylor has to offer."

On Friday, Nov. 15, the students will hear addresses from University President Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr., University Scholars Program Director Dr. Bruce Cresson and Student Body President Collin Cox. The students will end the day with tours of the campus given by Student Foundation members.

On Saturday, the students will participate in a panel discussion with representatives of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, the scholarship program, Mortar Board, the admissions office and the honors program. Students also will attend classroom presentations given by Dr. Rosalie Beck, associate professor of religion; Dr. David Pennington, professor of chemistry and Master Teacher; and Dr. Jeff Tanner, associate professor of marketing and associate dean for undergraduate programs for the Hankamer School of Business.

The students will complete the weekend by attending the Baylor/Missouri football game.